SANRAL seeks to support black contractors

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has unveiled a new Contractor Development Programme (CDP)

The new initiative is part of the organisation’s Horizon 2030 Strategy and Transformation Policy which aims to foster the growth of black industrialists across the construction value chain. Specifically, the new CDP is targeted at supporting black contractors in the Northern Cape and was introduced to the local community by Lehlohonolo Memeza, chief corporate affairs officer at SANRAL.

“If an infrastructure doesn’t have pillars, it will collapse,” commented Memeza. “We’ve seen we can’t operate if we don’t make transformation our centre and stronghold, so it’s been elevated to a pillar, and this Contractor Development Programme accompanies it.”

The CDP is aimed at addressing the challenges faced by contractors in the ‘missing middle’ of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grades, focusing on grades 5CE to 7CE. These contractors often face difficulties in securing work, obtaining experience and developing their businesses. The programme aims to bridge these gaps by providing contractors with access to SANRAL projects, as well as critical support such as training, mentoring and financial assistance.

Tshegare Moletsane, SANRAL’s transformation officer, added, “An industrialist is vital to us because we don’t want a situation where, when part of the construction value chain encounters challenges, the Contractor Development Programme, and ultimately SANRAL, suffers.”

He continued, “A black industrialist is a producer. You are not going to be constrained by anybody, you are going to produce to your maximum. We really want you guys in the next five years to match the big fives, to really resource you, to give you a platform that you can really prove yourselves and grow. That’s a mindset that we want to move you away from being a subcontractor mentality to really start playing with the big boys. We really need your support and your focus.”

A more inclusive construction industry

Through the programme, SANRAL aims to improve the overall performance of contractors in terms of financial viability, innovation, competitiveness, quality and employment practice. It is also designed to increase the participation of black women, people with disabilities, youth, and military veterans in SANRAL projects in order to create a more inclusive construction industry.

This was praised by Thandi Solo, a representative of the South African Women in Construction organisation (SAWIC) and a contractor, who said, “I appreciate SANRAL for the good work you are doing by actively prioritising transformation, particularly by targeting women.”

The new programme could help contractors take advantage of the flurry of construction activity being spearheaded by SANRAL in South Africa. Last month, the organisation suggested it expected to award a further R3.8bn (approx. US$212mn) by the end of the year. Click here to learn more about this story.